On July 12th, we tipped-off our eleventh year of the One Hood Basketball League, providing a safe space for local teenagers to “just play ball and not worry,” as Angel Lopez, our One Hood Commissioner said. At first look, it may not seem that Boston’s neighborhood streets can be a “battleground” for some, but as former South End District Officer Jorge Dias explained, “It’s hard to be a good kid no...
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As we discussed in January, 2017 is and has so far proven to be a critical year for affordable housing. The decisions made by President Trump and his administration will have a significant impact on the housing market with important resources at risk, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. On the municipal level, M...
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Over the past few decades, Boston’s residential demographics have transformed drastically. According to Mayor Martin Walsh’s Imagine Boston 2030 report, more than half of today’s Boston residents are people of color – up from one-third in 1980. As Boston continues t...
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We’re constantly working to “empower and engage individuals and their families to improve their lives," and this past month we held two resource fairs in order to introduce opportunities that residents of all ages would enjoy. Last week, we held our first annual Academic and Career Fair in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), whose representatives offered educational and career a...
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The Trump Administration recently announced its first full budget for next year, which proposes to eliminate funding for 21st Century Learning Centers, that are federally funded academic enrichment centers for at-risk children attending high-poverty, low-performing schools. As an org...
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Students will be let out of school in the coming weeks and some parents are scrambling to find the right summer programs, camps, and daycares for their children; but our parents are at ease with our year-round Preschool. In fact, our teachers are excited for the unique opportunities for learning, parent-child bonding, cultural immersion, and field trips that come along with the warm weather. ...
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It becomes increasingly more difficult to engage and build relationships with our youth nowadays, which is why we are so grateful to all of those who make our Youth Development Program (YDP) possible and provide a safe space for teens to grow. [caption id="attachment_8027" align="alignleft" width="300"]...
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This past Sunday, IBA CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado was featured in Channel 5’s award-winning urban news and feature magazine program “City Line,” in a segment focusing on the importance of funding for the arts. She was joined by Anita Walker, Executive Director of the ...
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Our Youth Development Programs (YDP) strives to empower students ages 13 - 19 years old by equipping them with the life skills and the support system they need to excel. Through workshops with a strong arts component, we have helped hundreds of youth find their voice and gain the confidence they need to make positive, impactful changes in their communities. That is why it is always a huge reward f...
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Healthy, sustainable communities often grow from environments that provide equal social and economic opportunities. For instance, according to a 2014 National Bureau of Economic Research report, upwardly mobile communities typically exhibit low income inequality, minimal racial and socioeconomic segregation, stable households and ...
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High-quality early education is critical to the well-being and future success of children, but high costs keep it out of reach for too many families. A recent report found that the average annual cost for full-day child care is $17,000 for infants and $13,000 for four-year-old children in Massachusetts, ma...
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Since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States 68 days ago, we have seen many changes; but we have also seen the power that many voices have when they join together. These changes have motivated people of all ethnicities, ages, and genders to be informed about the operations of our government, so they can stand up for their beliefs. What is even greater, is the posit...
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Arts Education increases learning engagement, self-confidence, and cultural acceptance; it empowers our Youth to discover their voices and speak out through creative expression, so one day they will be the leaders our community wants to see. Today, our Youth Development Program is transforming young people's lives by providing quality arts education opportunitie...
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Last Friday, our La Galería filled with people - of all ages and backgrounds - celebrating the opening of Fernando Ruíz Lorenzo’s exhibit, “Ciudadano,” or “Citizen.” The Gallery Opening honored “100 years of Puerto Ricans as citizens of the American empire;” and as one spectator said, the art [and accompanying panel discussion] evoked feelings of “hope and despair.” [caption id="attachment_7548" ...
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And what an amazing year of Acción 2016 has been! Your Acción, has sustained a legacy that helps empower individuals and families to improve their lives through affordable housing, education, and arts programs. ...
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